Chitosan and metal salt coagulant impacts on Cryptosporidium and microsphere removal by filtration

Maintenance of appropriate chemical pretreatment is a critical component of ensuring proper filtration performance. Pilot-scale in-line filtration studies were performed to investigate the relative impacts of chitosan, alum, and FeCl₃ coagulation on the removal of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts and oocyst-sized polystyrene microspheres by granular media filtration. Similar removals of oocysts and microspheres were achieved when optimal coagulant doses were utilized. Sub-optimal alum and FeCl₃ coagulation resulted in a deterioration filter effluent turbidity (0.2-0.3 NTU) and total particle counts (30-100 total particles ≥2 μm/mL) that were accompanied by reduced (by ∼2-3-log) median oocyst and microsphere removals by filtration. At all doses investigated, chitosan coagulation resulted in excellent turbidity and particle reductions by filtration. Nonetheless, chitosan coagulation at doses of 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 mg/L did not result in appreciable improvements in C. parvum oocyst removal relative to complete coagulation failure (median oocyst removals were <∼1-log). As well, oocyst-sized polystyrene microspheres appear to be reasonable indicators of C. parvum oocyst removal by in-line filtration preceded by alum and FeCl₃ coagulation, but not chitosan coagulation.